Current Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended warm greetings on June 27, 2025, as millions of devotees thronged Puri for the sacred Rath Yatra procession .

 ABOUT RATH YATRA (CHARIOT FESTIVAL)

• Where & When: Held annually in Puri, Odisha, during Ashadha month (June–July).
• Significance: Marks the ceremonial journey of Lord Jagannath, along with his siblings Balabhadra and Subhadra, to the Gundicha Temple via massive wooden chariots.
• Duration: Festival lasts 1 week; deities return in the “Bahuda Yatra.”
• Devotee Participation: Millions pull the chariots—this public act is considered highly auspicious.
• Cultural Impact: Reinforces spiritual harmony, Odisha’s cultural heritage, and unity among diverse communities.